By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com
The Matthew Henson Community Development Corporation (MHCDC) has launched a new initiative encouraging local youth to spend more time outdoors with their Double Dutch club.
Baltimore is cited alongside New York, Chicago and other urban communities in the 1970s for the growth of double dutch in the United States. Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, president of MHCDC, is on a mission to revive this cherished sport in Charm City. Now, he’s looking for community support and participants.
“We felt that we should do something and come up with an activity to get girls involved, start eating better and exercise more,” said Cheatham. “Double dutch used to be here in Baltimore City when I was a child…we’re bringing back an activity that we used to have here.”
The club is set to take place after school and will not only provide a fun and healthy activity for youth, but also serve as a platform for making friends, gaining confidence and fostering friendly competition. Cheatham’s vision is to provide an alternative activity that not only reduces opportunity for the youth to be involved in crime but also creates a safe and positive outlet for the community’s youth.
Takeria Clark, a previous instructor and co-founder of New Jersey’s national Double Dutch team, the H.ON.E.Y (Helping Others Now, Empowering Yourself) Bees, will serve as the Baltimore group’s youth engagement director.
Clark recently moved to Baltimore and says she ran into the flyer looking for participants at a corner store and felt it was the perfect opportunity to get involved with the community. She led her previous group to heights, including the World Championship and the Jimmy Fallon show; she is excited to help bring the sport back to Baltimore and develop the team.
She expressed that she is excited to grow the team and enter competitions, “they are going to see outside of Baltimore, which is even better,” said Clark. “I’m excited to see the smiles on these children’s faces when they realize that they can do something they are going to say they can’t do – I love to see those can’ts turn to I can.”
Due to the weather in the fall and winter months, Cheatham sought out an indoor location and has received the opportunity to host the meetings at the Easterwood Recreation Center. The organization is reaching out to the community for donations to help get the program running. For more information about donating or signing a child up for the club email Cheatham at civilrights@verizon.net.
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